Kevin Gray, president of the Kansas City Sports Commission died today after a short but courageous battle with an extremely rare but aggressive form of cancer. Gray was 51 years old and lived in Leawood, Kan.
Gray not only headed the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, a privately funded, non-profit organization created to promote Kansas City sports locally and nationally and to attract, retain and facilitate sports events and organizations in the Greater Kansas City area, but just as easily be characterized as Kansas City's No. 1 sports fan.
In a statement issued earlier today by the Sports Commission, Gray was described as "a force unto himself; a very enthusiastic cheerleader and tireless leader for the Kansas City sports community. Kevin's list of accomplishments is long and well documented, and yet he was as proud of our kids' sports camps as he was of leading the campaign to build the Sprint Center.
"His friends, associates and the Kansas City community have lost an inspirational leader, and he will be dearly missed," the statement continued.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held, but arrangements are still pending. The Gray family is requesting that any donations be made to the Kevin Gray Family Education Fund, in care of the Country Club Bank in Leawood, Kan.